President Obama's even temper, persistence and rhetorical skills have combined to advance both his personal popularity and his far-flung ambitions. Yet he hasn't won over his detractors, who could still derail his agenda.

Defense Secretary Robert Gates released a $534 billion budget proposal Monday that would shift money from programs plagued by cost overruns to weapons and systems needed to fight wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.

The military is racing to inspect more than 90,000 U.S.-run facilities across Iraq to reduce a deadly threat troops face far off the battlefield: electrocution or shock while showering or using appliances.

New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo says troubled insurance giant American International Group paid bonuses of $1 million or more to each of 73 employees, including 11 who no longer work for the company. Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner says he is working with the Justice Department to determine whether any retention bonuses paid by American International Group can be recovered.

President Obama told Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner to take all legal measures to block hefty bonuses awarded to employees of AIG, the insurance company that received up to $180 billion in bailout money, a White House adviser said Monday.